Commander Sylvester R. Foley

Commanding Officer, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113

26 October 2020 A native of Deerfield, NH, Commander Sylvester “BASS” Foley IV graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He received his wings in February 2005 at NAS Kingsville, TX, and reported to VFA-125 for F/A-18 Replacement Pilot training at NAS Lemoore, CA.
                       
Upon completion of training, CDR Foley received orders to the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86 at MCAS Beaufort, SC. He deployed aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in 2006 and 2007 in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. In January 2009, CDR Foley received orders as a Fleet Replacement Squadron instructor with the VFA-106 “Gladiators” at NAS Oceana, VA.
 
Upon completing his tour at VFA-106, CDR Foley reported to CVW-3 as the Strike Operations Officer.  In 2013, he received follow-on orders as a Department Head to the “Dambusters” of VFA-195, forward deployed to NAF Atsugi, Japan. While serving as the Safety, Maintenance, and Operations Officer, he deployed aboard the USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).
 
Following his Department Head tour, CDR Foley reported to the Joint Staff J7, where he supported multiple Combatant Commands and Joint Task Forces as an observer/trainer with the Deployable Training Division in Suffolk, VA, from December 2015 to April 2018. During this tour, CDR Foley was selected for Aviation Command. CDR Foley then received orders to the VFA-122 “Flying Eagles” at NAS Lemoore, CA for F/A-18 refresher training.
 
CDR Foley reported to the “Stingers” of VFA-113 in November 2019 as Executive Officer. He and his wife Susannah are the proud parents of four children: Quint, Jacob, Emma, and Nora.
 
CDR Foley has accumulated over 2,900 flight hours, including 35 combat missions, and 550 arrested landings. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Strike/Flight Air Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various unit, service, and campaign awards.